On Tuesday evening, February 6, at 6 pm, Jerel Rosati will be making a slide and commentary presentation at USC, Gambrell Hall 250 on Witnessing Efforts for Peace in Colombia: Indigenous and Afro-Colombians Fight for Their Rights against the Cerrajon (MNC) Mining Company, the Colombian Government, and U.S. Foreign Policy, A Heroic, Sad, and Hopeful Tale.

He was part of a Witness for Peace delegation to Colombia composed of 18 Americans and Canadians that focused on coal-mining, its impact on development and local communities (especially Afro-Colombians and indigenous people), and the role of U.S. foreign policy. Cerrajon, the company owned by three MNCs and with the support of the Colombian and U.S. governments, operates the largest open-pit mine in the world, exports virtually all of its coal, and is a major source of revenue and inequality for Colombian society. The situation in Colombia in general and with Cerrajon in particular is complex, fascinating, and largely unknown to the world (including myself until my trip).

As a result of the trip, Jerel Rosati will also discuss a new Witness for Peace delegation he is organizing from Columbia, and the Southeast, on "Free Trade in Colombia: Is it free? Is it fair?" that will take place from May 14th to May 24th 2007 for those who might be interested in a fascinating experience.

See the two flyers for more information on both the presentation and the new delegation in May:

Witnessing Efforts for Peace in Colombia

Free Trade in Colombia: Is it free? Is it fair?